Brighton will introduce two home ends at Premier League matches at the Amex Stadium from next season. Away supporters will shift into a corner section of the ground instead.
The Amex Stadium home ends plan has been confirmed by chairman Tony Bloom. He says he has already been given a preview of the new setup during this season’s European fixtures.
Brighton confirm major Amex Stadium seating shift for next season
The Albion opened the Amex in 2011 with a traditional layout of one end for home fans and the other one for the travelling support. That changes from next season.
Visiting supporters move into a corner of the stadium instead. It means Brighton fans will fill both ends of the ground for Premier League fixtures for the first time since the stadium opened.
Tony Bloom previews stadium changes following European testing
Bloom has had an early look at how the new arrangement feels. Smaller away allocations required for the club’s Conference League games this season made that possible. Those reduced allocations have effectively let Brighton trial home fans behind both goals well ahead of the official switch.
“That’s the reason that we’re making the change at the end of the season, whereby we will have home fans behind both goals,” Bloom said, reported by The Argus.
“And yes, in the European games, we will see a lot more of that.”
The chairman also spoke about his enthusiasm for the club’s run in Europe this term.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing all of our European games this season,” he said.
Structural work under way in South West corner and former lounge area
Work has already started behind the scenes. Alterations are under way in the South West corner of the Amex. The former Heineken Lounge area is also being reshaped, clearing space for the relocated away section.
The scale of that work reflects how significant a change this is to the stadium’s original design. Brighton have not put a figure on capacity. Nor have they given a completion date beyond confirming the changes will be ready for next season.
Timeline for Premier League transition and upcoming European fixtures
The current Conference League campaign continues to give Brighton and their supporters a taste of the new layout before it becomes permanent. The full switch to two home ends will not apply to Premier League fixtures until next season. Away fans then move into their new corner section for every home league game.
The stadium changes arrive alongside a settled feel at the club under Bloom’s ownership. His praise for Fabian Hurzeler this season has echoed the same confidence he has shown discussing the Amex redevelopment. It follows Bloom’s recent comments on squad stability heading into the campaign.
